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(No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 1. F. H. RICHARDS.

BUTTON SETTING MAGHINE.

No. 326,786. Patented Sept. 22, 1885.

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F. H. RICHARDS.

BUTTON SETTING MAGHTNE.

No. 326,786. Patented Se 22, 1885.

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N. Prrzns, Phawumogmpher. wnshmgwn, n. c.

4 Sheets-Sheet 3.

(No Model.)

P. H. RICHARDS.

BUTTON SETTING MACHINE.

Patented Sept. 22, 1885.

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f77/venan' 4 Sheets-Sheet 4,

(No Mode.)

F. H. RICHARDS:

BUTTON SETTING MACHINE.

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N. PErERS, Phew-umana. washington. D. Cy

iINrrnn FRANCIS H. RICHARDS, OF SPRINGFIELD, MASS., ASSIGNOR TO THE AMERI- CAN BUTTON FASTENER COMPANY, vOF NEV BRITAIN, CONN.

BUTTON-SETTING MACHINE.

g SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 326,786, dated September 22, 1885.

C Application filed January 30, 1885. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANCIS H. RICHARDS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Springfield, in the county of Hampden, State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Button-Setting Machines, of which the following is a specication, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in Which- Figure 1 is a plan view of a machine einbodying my improvements. Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the same machine. Fig. 3 is an elevation of the right-hand side. Fig. 4 is a rear elevation. Fig. 5 is a horizontal section of the front part of the machine, in line a a,

Fig. 2. Figs. 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and ll are Vertical sections in line b b, Fig. 5. Figs. l2, 13, and 14 illustrate the action of the fabric-feeding mechanism.' Fig. 15 shows three views of the fastener driver and slide. Fig. 16 shows three views of the fastener-bender, and Fig. 17 of thefastener-former pin. Fig. 18 shows four views ofthe button-feeding slide, Fig. 19 of the button-tube, and Fig. 2O of the button-receiver. Fig. 2l shows three views of the button-feeding spiral. Fig. 22 is an enlarged view of certain parts of said spiral. Fig. 23 illustrates the operation of the spiral under certain circumstances.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the views.

My invention relates more especially to improvements in machines for automatically making and setting button-fasteners, although some parts thereof are adapted to be used in similar machines which are not automatic.

VThe principal object of the invention is to provide a machine which shall feed the buttons from a hopper to the setting-die, hold and feed the fabric under said die, and automatically make and set the fasteners for holding the but-tons to the fabric. Another object is to provide improved devices for performing those operations.

The invention consists in an organized ma chine of the class described and in the devices and combinations embodied therein which are hereinafter described and claimed.

In the drawings, A designates the bed-plate of the machine, which is supported on legs A2, and from the top of which rise the two uprights A3 and A4 for supporting the more essential parts of the machine. Bearings are formed in legs A2 for the main shaft S, which is driven by means of pulley P, and carries the several cams, the pulleys l?2 and I, and the worm G2 for communicating, by means of suitable connection devices, the required movements to the other mechanism.

The machine performs four functions- 6o namely: first, holds and feeds the fabric; second, picks up and feeds the buttons; third, makes the fastener; fourth, sets the fastener.

Though the making and the setting of the fasteners are distinct operations, which take place one after the other, their mechanisms are so intimately associated as practically to form one.

The table on which the fabric F6 is laid is designated by U2. This table forms one of 7o the caps for the fastener-making devices, and is secured to upright A3 by screws, as shown in Fig. l. Said table has a driver channel or mortise, as at 2, Figs. 3 and 6, through which the fastener, after being made below said table, is driven up into the fabric.

M is the feeding-bar, which is serrated at the lower end in the usual manner, (see Figs. l, 12, 13, and 14,) and operates to feed the fabric after the manner of the ordinary four-motion 8o feeds commonly used in sewing-machines.

I do not limit my invention to the particular devices for producing that motion of bar M, but have shown one combination suitable therefor, which is the type of a class of such devices.

As herein shown, the mechanism for operating the feeding-bar consists of the following: For producing the vertical movement thereof the upper end of the bar M is pivotally con- 9o nected to an arm, V, which is fixed to rockshaft S, which shaft has another arm, V2, whereby it is operated from C2 by means of connecting-rod H, having a pin, I3, working against said cam. This mechanism acts to lift thc feeding-bar, while a spring (not shown) serves to bring it down. For producing the lateral motion of that bar,a similar mechanism is employed, consisting of arm V3, having a pin,3,working in a slot, 4, near the lower end roo of said bar, a shaft, S4, to which said arm V3 is fixed, and which has another arm, V4,

whereby it is operated from cam G5 by means of connecting-rod H2, having a pin,I,working against said cam. This mechanism acts to move the feeding-bar toward the left-hand in Fig. 2, a spring (not shown) being provided to effect the return movement. The operation of this mechanism is as follows: At the end of one feeding operation the bar stands down at the left-hand, as in Fig. 2. Cam C2 now turns shaft S3, lifting said bar as shown in Fig. 12. While thebar remains lifted cam C3 allowsa spring to turn shaft S4, swinging the bar to the right-hand, as in Fig. 13. Next, the cam C2 allows a spring to lower the bar to the position shown in Fig. 14, where it is supposed to rest on the fabric ready to be again moved by cam C3 to its position in Fig. 2 for the purpose of feeding the fabric. Buttons of the kind ordinarily used for shoes, or others similar, having shank substantially as shown, are thrown into hopper J, which is carried on a shaft, S2, which shaft is slowly revolved in bearing AB by gear G, .Xed on said shaft and meshing with worm G2 on shaft S. Running in bearings in uprights A3 and A4 is the shaft S6, which is rotated in the same direction as and more rapidly than shaft `S by pulley P3, driven by belt B2 from pulley P2 on said shaft S. Rearward of upright A4 said shaft S6 is provided with a roller, R, xed thereon, which corresponds with the grooved roller R2, which runs on studs N, projecting from said upright parallel to said shaft S6. These three rollers are arranged in a triangle, as shown in Fig. 4, and serve to hold in place and rotate a button-feeding spiral, W, which runs over roller R and under rollers R2. This spiral is formed of a wire or rod which is small enough to readily pass through the button-shanks, and it consists, substantially, of a cylindrical spiral terminating in an expanding spiral, 10, at its rear end. It will be obvious, on considering the matter, that if the cylindrical spiral is of a uniform size and pitch throughout its length it may not remain in the proper longitudinal position, as any slipping on its supportingrollers would tend to move it endwise of them. To prevent this result,I have constructed said spiral with an additional improvement or modification, by which that portion thereof which runs between said rollers is made of a series of spiral and circular parts alternating in such manner that one or more of the circular ones will always be in contact with the rollers. The circular parts 6 are made round in crosssectional form to t into the grooves 7 of the said rollers, while the intermediate spiral parts, 8, are flattened so as to pass between surfaces 9 of said rollers. These points are shown best in Fig. 22. As the spiral revolves the hopper J alsoV revolves, but much more slowly, thereby bringing all ofthe buttons into the track of point 11 of expanding spiral 10, which frequently, I may say generally,will pass through the shank of one or more buttons, which, being kept down by gravity, slide along on the wire spiral, as at 12, Fig. 3, until they are carried under guides 13 and 14 of receiver K, the shanks projectingiup through slot 15 in the top of said receiver. Guide 13 is made longer than 14, so that when two buttons are carried along on one turn of the spiral, as often happens, the shank of but one can enter slot 15,

the other being pushed outside of guide 14, as I illustrated in Fig. 20. The end W2 of the spiral runs close to the upper side of-receiver K, (see Fig. 3,) and is long enough to carry the buttons well int'o said receiver when it is not previously filled; but if this is the case,then said end W2 springs back, as in Fig. 23, and drops the button into the hopper J. This action of said part W2 not only disposes of the surplus buttons presented to the receiver, but also serves by its elasticity to push the buttons in said receiver through into the rear end, T3, of tube T. This tube T is telescoped at its rear end into upright A, and at its front end is fixed into slide F and partakes of its reciprocating motion. Said slide has a button-channel, F2, a continuation of the one in said tube, leading down to the setting-die F4 at the front end of the slide, as shown best in Figs. 3 and'18. The buttons are pushed forward, as aforesaid, by the button-feeding spiral through tube T, in which they are turned over by the spiral slot T2, and through channel F2 to the position 16, Fig. 3, where they meet the button detent or spring F3, and when slide F is at its forward and normal position stand in front-of the button-feeding pawl O, the point of which Works through slot 1'7 in slide F, and is fixed to upright A3. If, now, slide F is moved rearward, said pawl O, by pushing against button 16,' forces said button forward in said slide under the curved point 18 of detent F3, and when the slide moves forward it carries that button forward IOO with its shank between the opposite parts of the fastener prong-bending die F* and directly over mortise 2 in table U2. At the same time another button is pushed forward of pawl O, as before. When one button is thus forced under spring F3, it forces the one previously IIO there out of the front end of slide F,which, as

lever H2, which is pivoted to the bed-plate at;

20, and connected to said slide at 21.`

D2 and Edesignate, respectively, the driverslideand bender-slide. Slide D2 is provided with the driver D, and has a roller or pin, D3, which is acted upon by cam C for the purpose of moving said slide up and down, as required. Slide E is grooved at E2 to receive driver D, notched at E4 to receive the wire, and E3 to receivethe end of former-pin Q, and is provided with a roller or pin, D4, whereby cam C4 moves this slide in the required manner. Both of these slides lie in a recess in the front of upright A3,V slide D2 being in front of E, and are held in placeby capU, which may be secured to said upright by screws, as shown in Fig. 2. Former-pin Q is immediately below table U2, and is operated from cam C5, which acts on pin I of lever H, which lever is pivoted to the frame at A6, and at its upper end to said pin Q. It will be understood that the said cams are so shaped vas to impart the proper motions to the said slides and pin, and that a similar understanding should also be had respecting the other cams of the machine, all which cams are always to be proportioned by the ordinaryy rules of mechanical construction, each to properly perform its special function.

R3 and R1L designate fastener-stock-feeding rolls, of which the lower one, R", is fixed on shaft S5, having a pulley, P5, driven from pulley FL by friction-belt B, the upper roll, R3, being supported on stud 22, which may be made adjustable for the purpose of tightening the rolls onto said stock, as now commonly done in similar cases. Vhen slide E is lowered to its position in Fig. 6-slide D2 being previously or simultaneously so lowered-the fastener-stock L feeds in through a hole in A, as shown in Fig. 7. The former-pin Q. now stands in its forward position, and the wire is next cut off by the ascent of slide E, as shown in Fig. 8, which slide then moves clear up, bending the wire into a staple, 24, as in Fig. 9. Slide D2 now rises, and driver D forces the staple up through mortise 2 (see Fig. 10) until the points strike against die F* and are clinched over, as in Fig. 11, after which the several parts of the fastener making and setting mechanism are returned to their former positions, ready for a repetition of thisv series of operations.

The operation of my improved button-setting machine will be readily understood from the drawings and the preceding description, being as follows: The machine having been constructed to make some specified kind of fastener, and to use said fasteners for setting a specified kind of buttons onto a fabric, as F6, a supply of said buttons is put into hopper J, and fastener-stock suitable for the making of said fasteners is fed in between rollers R3 and R4. The machine being started up by some one of the well-known appliances used for such purposes, is run long enough to bring a button to the Settingdie, when the fabric is placed on table U2 in proper position for setting thereon the first button. On the starting of shaft S cams C4 and G5 operate the fastener-making mechanism as hereinbefore described to make a fastener, which is immediately set by the fastener-setting mechanism as also hereinbefore described. Vhile the fastener is clinching the fabric-feeding mechanism moves into the position indicated by Fig. 14, and, immediately said clinching is finished, slide F moves back, drawing the fastened button out of channel F2, and the fabric is fed along to the proper position for ton fastener setting setting another button, which in the meantime, has'beenvfed to the setting-die inthe manner described. And thus the several operations of button-feeding, fastener-making, fastener-setting, land fabric-feeding may go on automatically as long as required.

. I claimsas my invention;

l. The combination of button-feeding mechanism, substantially as described, with button -fastener settingv mechanism and with mechanism, substantially as described, for making buttonfasteners and presenting them to said setting mechanism, all arranged to operate substantially as shownand described.

2. The combination of button-feeding mechanism, substantially as described, with butmechanism and with mechanism, substantially as described, for cutting off apiece of button-fastener stock and bending said piece into ka button-fastener, ready to be set by said setting mechanism, all arranged to operate substantially as shown and described.

3. The combination of a table on which to place the fabric or material to which buttons are to be attached, said table having a driverchannel, through which a button-fastener may be driveninto said material, a laterally-mova ble setting-die,substantall y as described, above said table having its normal position directly over said driver-channel and having a lateral motion away from its said normal position, and a button-fastener driver, all arranged to operate substantially as described, and for the purpose specified.

4. The combination of a movable part having a button-fastenersetting die at one end and a button-channel leading to saiddie, a button-detent for holding a button in said channel at said die, and a button-feeding pawl for pushing along the button in said channel under said detent, substantially as described.

5. The combination, in a button-setting machine having a suitable frame-work, of slide F, having channel F2, detent F3, and pawl O, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

6. The combination of a suitable framework, slide F, having a button-channel, F2, receiver K, and tube T, leading from said receiver to said channel, substantially as described.

7. In a button-setting machine, the buttonreceiver K, having guides 13 and 14, substantially as described.

8. In a button-setting machine, the combination of a button-feeding spiral having alternate spiral and circular parts, substantially as described, and a set of grooved rollers for holding and rotating said spiral, substantially as set forth.

9. The combination of .a button-hopper, a button-feeding spiral, substantially as described, and means, substantially as described, for holding and operating said spiral to take buttons out of said hopper, substantially as set forth.

ICO

IIO

l0. The combination of a button-feeding spiral, substantially as described, means, substantially asdescribed,for holding. and operating said spiral, and a button-receiver arranged to receive buttons from said spiral, substantially as described.

1l. The combination of a button-.feeding spiral having an elasticterminat-ion, W2, means, substantially as described,rfor holding and operating said spiral, .and a button-receiver arranged to receive .buttons from said spiral, substantially as described.. l

12. The combination, in a button-setting machine, of fastener-making mechanism for bending up a piece of stock into `a buttonfastener, a laterally-movable,setting-die, substantially as described, for bending over `into hooks the prongs of button-fasteners, mechanism for takingA the fasteners from thefastener-` making mechanism and driving vtheir prongs FRANCIS H. RICHARDS.

Witnesses:

H. W. FAULKNER, C. O. PALMER. 

